Shock and Outrage Over Oscar Pistorius Sentence

The Paralympian has only received six years for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp
- bymarie claire

06 Jul
2016

Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years jail for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

The judge presiding over the case, Thokozile Masipa, the same judge who originally convicted the athlete of malslughter, said there were “substantial and compelling circumstances” around why he should not serve the minimum 15-years for murder in South Africa.

"The life of the accused will never be the same … He is a fallen hero, who has lost his career, and been ruined financially," said Masipa during her hour-long judgement.

"He cannot be at peace."

According to The Guardian, the judge also said that Pistorius’ remorsefulness and vulnerability due to his disability were also mitigating factors that “outweighed” the fact that he used a lethal weapon, high-grade ammunition and “knowing full well” that someone was inside the bathroom.

Pistoruis, whose original sentence for culpable homicide was five years, will not appeal but experts are predicting the state will appeal for a longer sentence.

The lenient sentence has sparked outrage both in South Africa and worldwide, with the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress calling it “an insult to women”.

"First five years, now six years? [the judge] is an embarrassment to the justice system," ANCWL spokeswoman Jacqueline Mofokeng told Reuters.

"It is an insult to women in this country."

Angry users have also taken to Twitter to vent their frustration at the lenient sentence.